Disability Service Officer

The duties of a Disability Service Officer are similar to, and can sometimes overlap with, those of a disability support worker. The main difference is that a disability service officer tends to be responsible for planning aspects of care, as opposed to carrying out everyday home-based duties or accompanying clients and patients on errands and other appointments.

The primary job of a Disability Service Officer is to help those with a range of issues live their everyday lives freely through the use of available resources. These resources include educational and professional courses and programs as well facilities and services for overall medical and financial support. Disability Service Officers assess clients and patients to see which resources best suit their needs and monitor progress to determine if new avenues need to be sought. Disability service officers will also liaise with friends, family and colleagues of clients and patients to help establish a network of support.

Future demand High
Average yearly income $83,200
Skill level Beginner

How do I become a disability service officer?

All skill levels Beginner Experienced
Recommended
CHC43121

Certificate IV in Disability Support
Blended, On Campus, Online
6 - 12 months
  • Completed Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) or equivalent qualifications OR
  • Completion of CHC30408 Certificate III in Disability PLUS the CHCSS00125 Entry to Certificate IV in Disability Support Skill Set.
Additional requirements may apply.
Disability Service Officer Disability Team Leader Disability Support Worker
Aboriginal Disability Worker
+ 1 more
  • Completed Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) or equivalent qualifications OR
  • Completion of CHC30408 Certificate III in Disability PLUS the CHCSS00125 Entry to Certificate IV in Disability Support Skill Set.
  • Completion of CHC30408 Certificate III in Disability PLUS the CHCSS00125 Entry to Certificate IV in Disability Support Skill Set.
Additional requirements may apply.
Disability Service Officer Disability Team Leader Disability Support Worker Aboriginal Disability Worker + 1 more
CHC33021

Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)
On Campus, Online
3 - 18 months
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Personal Carer Aged Care Worker Residential Care Worker
Community Care Worker Home Care Assistance Worker Disability Support Worker Trainee Support Worker Home Carer Aboriginal Disability Worker Disability Service Officer Disability Team Leader Senior Support Worker
+ 9 more
CHC33021

Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability)
On Campus, Online
5 - 12 months
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Aged Care Worker Personal Carer Residential Care Worker
Community Care Worker Home Care Assistance Worker Trainee Support Worker Disability Support Worker Home Carer Aboriginal Disability Worker Aboriginal Aged Care Worker Disability Service Officer Senior Support Worker
+ 9 more
PSP30218

Certificate III in Auslan
Blended, On Campus
4 - 12 months
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Disability Support Worker Disability Service Officer
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Disability Support Worker Disability Service Officer
PSP40818

Certificate IV in Auslan
On Campus
12 - 18 months
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Disability Support Worker Disability Service Officer
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Disability Support Worker Disability Service Officer
22469VIC

Course in Introduction to the National Disability Insurance Scheme
Distance, On Campus, Online, Traineeship
2 - 10 weeks
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Disability Support Worker Disability Service Officer Personal Carer
Community Care Worker
+ 1 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Disability Support Worker Disability Service Officer Personal Carer Community Care Worker + 1 more
11076NAT

Diploma of Leadership in Disability Services
Online
24 months
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Disability Service Officer Disability Support Worker Disability Team Leader
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Disability Service Officer Disability Support Worker Disability Team Leader
*Showing course fees for all providers. Some providers may not be available in your area.

Related occupations

Personal Carer

Personal Carers support elderly and vulnerable individuals with daily tasks, providing companionship and liaising with families and healthcare professionals.

Avg yearly income $62,400
Skill level Beginner

Residential Care Worker

Residential Care Workers support children and adults in various facilities, providing personal services and maintaining close relationships with clients and their families.

Avg yearly income $62,400
Skill level Beginner

Community Care Worker

Community Care Workers support children and adults in care facilities with personal services, building close relationships with clients and their families.

Avg yearly income $62,400
Skill level Beginner

Home Care Assistance Worker

Home Care Assistance Workers provide personal care to elderly and vulnerable individuals in their homes, promoting independence and building strong client relationships.

Avg yearly income $54,600
Skill level Beginner

Diversional Therapy Assistant

Diversional Therapy Assistants support leisure programs, enhancing the social and emotional wellbeing of isolated or vulnerable individuals.

Avg yearly income $52,936
Skill level Beginner

Residential Care Officer

Residential Care Officers lead care teams in facilities, ensuring residents receive excellent personal care while managing staff and administrative tasks.

Avg yearly income $62,400
Skill level Beginner

Aged Care Manager

Aged Care Managers oversee operations in care facilities, managing finances, compliance, and staff while ensuring quality service and safety standards.

Avg yearly income $104,000
Skill level Beginner

Disability Support Worker

Disability Support Workers provide hands-on assistance to aged and disabled clients, helping with daily tasks, companionship, and community engagement.

Avg yearly income $78,000
Skill level Beginner

Disability Team Leader

Disability Team Leaders manage support teams, ensuring effective care for clients by delegating tasks, monitoring assessments, and providing hands-on assistance.

Avg yearly income $83,200
Skill level Beginner

Trainee Support Worker

A Trainee Support Worker assists clients with daily activities in aged care or disability services, offering practical and emotional support.

Avg yearly income $52,000
Skill level Beginner

Lifestyle Coordinator

A Lifestyle Coordinator plans and organises activities and events for residents in care facilities, focusing on their physical, social, and emotional needs.

Avg yearly income $70,200
Skill level Beginner

Aboriginal Disability Worker

An Aboriginal Disability Worker assists Indigenous individuals with disabilities in daily activities, fostering community engagement and support.

Avg yearly income $49,920
Skill level Beginner

Diversional Therapist

A Diversional Therapist organises activities for individuals with specific needs, addressing social, physical, and emotional well-being while ensuring effective communication.

Avg yearly income $83,200
Skill level Unknown

Home Carer

A Home Carer supports people with additional needs at home, assisting with daily tasks, personal care, and accompanying clients to appointments.

Avg yearly income $61,880
Skill level Beginner

Care Coordinator

A Care Coordinator manages client care in aged or disability services, ensuring daily support, liaising with families, and organising specialist staff.

Avg yearly income $73,580
Skill level Beginner

Mental Health Advocate

A Mental Health Advocate supports individuals by promoting their rights, accessing services, and navigating mental health systems with empathy and guidance.

Avg yearly income $65,000
Skill level Unknown

Behaviour Therapist

Behaviour Therapists help people make positive behaviour changes using various therapies, like CBT and hypnotherapy, to treat diverse issues.

Avg yearly income $79,976
Skill level Unknown

Disability Advocate

A Disability Advocate helps individuals with disabilities navigate systems, ensuring their rights and needs are met to enhance their quality of life.

Avg yearly income $82,368
Skill level Unknown

Common questions

How much do Disability Service Officers earn?

In Australia, a full time disability service officer generally earns $1,600 per week ($83,200 annual salary) before tax. This is a median figure for full-time employees and should be considered a guide only. As you gain more experience you can expect a potentially higher salary than people who are new to the industry.

Author Image
Courses.com.au Team Industry expert

What are the job opportunities for Disability Service Officers?

There isn't clear data on disability service officer positions specifically. However, aged and disability support worker jobs as a whole have grown strongly in recent years. They are expected to continue to be a strong source of employment around the country. As of May 2019, there were approximately 177,000 aged and disabled carer jobs in Australia. That number could potentially rise to 222,000 in 2024. Some reports indicate the possibility of about 35,800 job openings per year over that span.

Source: The Labour Market Information Portal - 2019 Occupational Projections and Australian Government Job Outlook

Author Image
Courses.com.au Team Industry expert

How long does it take to become a Disability Service Officer?

Many disability service officer jobs require completion of more advanced qualifications and/or some experience in the support industry. One such qualification that could potentially prepare you for a disability service officer position is a Certificate IV in Disability. This can take around 12 months to complete depending on if you choose to study on campus, online or through blended study modes and whether you study full or part time. This qualification also has a work placement component. Individual Support or other support studies specialising in Aged and Disability Support can be helpful, though each position can have different requirements.

Author Image
Courses.com.au Team Industry expert

Further reading

What can you do with a Certificate IV in Business (Administration)?

7th March 2022

What can you do with a Certificate IV in Legal Services?

3rd March 2022

Courses by location